Victoria Azarenka started off her BNP Paribas Open campaign with a clash against Zarina Diyas. The Belarusian looked to get off to a good start after a wrist injury had her pulling out of Acapulco. Diyas though had other ideas as she made Azarenka work hard for her victory. The 6-3 6-2 score line was not reflective of the close encounter.
Diyas Gives Good Fight But Azarenka Takes The First Set
Both players started off the match bright and sharp. Diyas was matching Azarenka for power and the Belarusian soon found herself in trouble in the fourth game of the set. Azarenka though fended off the break point and closed out the game for 2-2.
The former world number one was playing some of her best tennis in the return games and her deep and powerful returns troubled the Kazakh as the Belarusian broke for 3-2. The match heated up as the pair exchanged some great shots in the rallies they had. A stinging Azarenka backhand gave her an opportunity to go two breaks up but the fearless Diyas saved it to keep in touch at 3-4.
Winners were flying off fast from the Belarusian’s racket and the pressure was on Diyas to serve to stay in the set at 5-4. The Kazakh stood firm playing herself to safety whenever she faced set points. However, Azarenka hit one of her deep returns and Diyas could only help it back into the net as the Belarusian clinched the set on her third set point.
Azarenka Keeps Up Her Pressure And Prevails
The second set played out in a similar fashion to the first. The fighting Diyas against the attacking Azarenka. Even after being a break down at 3-1, the Kazakh regrouped and got the break back with some stunning winners herself.
The two time Grand Slam winner was not going to be hard done by as she once again broke with her relentless attacks for a 4-2 lead. Diyas was doing all she could but Azarenka hung on to extend her lead to 5-2.
Like in the first set, Diyas was once again called to serve to stay in the match. The match took on a dramatic ending as Azarenka was unhappy with a call and turned that frustration into creating match point for herself. The Kazakh sent her shot wide as Azarenka closed out victory at first chance.
The Match By The Numbers
Azarenka did not have the best of serving games today as she hit seven double faults to Diyas’ four. The Belarusian however was better in the return games as compared to the Kazakh.
Even though Azarenka was not serving as well, Diyas only could gleam two break points and grabbed only one of those. Azarenka on the other hand had 12 chances and only could convert five of them due to Diyas’ grit.
